Admissions

How to Get Into Graduate School

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A graduate student listens during a lecture.


Earning an advanced degree can elevate a person’s prospects for employment and earnings, and this is particularly true for those who pursue a graduate business education. When the Graduate Management Admission Council surveyed more than 3,600 people who had earned graduate business degrees in 2022:

  • Eighty-seven percent of respondents reported that earning a graduate business degree increased their employability.
  • Seventy-seven percent of respondents reported that earning a graduate business degree increased their earning power.

Knowing how to get into graduate school is the first step on the path to enrolling in a graduate business degree program and earning an advanced degree in business.

Choosing the Right Program for You

Getting into graduate school to earn an advanced business degree starts with selecting the right degree program. The Freeman School of Business at Tulane University, for example, offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program in several formats, as well as graduate degree programs in accounting, business analytics, finance, and management in energy. 

MBA Programs

The Freeman School of Business offers its MBA program in formats that can accommodate students’ schedules and other commitments. These formats are:

  • The Full-Time MBA is a structured cohort experience, which students can complete in two years, offers concentrations in analytics, finance, strategy and marketing, and sustainability.
  • The Executive MBA can be completed in 17 months by taking classes on Fridays and Saturdays two times each month. All students in this format pursue a global strategy concentration, and they also can pursue a concentration in finance or management.
  • The Professional MBA is completed by taking evening classes over the course of no more than three years. This format offers concentrations in analytics, energy, entrepreneurship, finance, and strategic management and innovation.
  • The Online MBA, which students complete remotely in as little as 24 months, offers concentrations in business analytics, finance, and marketing.
    Within six months of graduating, 100 percent of the full-time Freeman School of Business MBA class of 2024 had gained employment.

Master of Accounting Program

For individuals who are pursuing admission to graduate school to expand their accounting expertise, the Freeman School of Business offers a Master of Accounting degree program that students can complete in two or  three semesters. The program helps prepare students to sit for the certified public accountant (CPA) exam, and students can pursue up to two specializations in analytics, risk management, structured finance, or taxation.
Ninety percent of the 2023 Master of Accounting graduating class obtained employment within six months of graduating.

Master of Business Analytics Program

The Freeman School of Business offers a Master of Business Analytics degree program that students can complete on campus in two or  three semesters. With an experiential curriculum that capitalizes on the faculty’s connections within the industry, the program offers specializations in accounting and finance, energy, and marketing and management.

After graduating from the Master of Business Analytics program in 2023, 95 percent of students secured employment within six months.

Master of Finance Program

Students can complete the Freeman School of Business Master of Finance degree program in two or  three semesters and become prepared to sit for the chartered financial analyst (CFA) exam. They can pursue a career in an area such as:

  • Corporate treasury
  • Investment banking
  • Asset management
  • Financial data analytics
  • Sustainable finance

Within six months of graduation, 84 percent of the 2023 graduating class from the Master of Finance degree program had found employment.

Master of Management in Energy

Focusing exclusively on the business of energy, the Freeman School of Business Master of Management in Energy degree program can be completed in two or  three semesters. Students gain insight into key aspects of the energy industry, such as valuation, financial modeling, and risk management.

After completing the Master of Management in Energy degree program in 2023, 94 percent of students secured employment within six months.

What Are the Requirements to Get Into Graduate School?

Knowing about the graduate school admissions process can help prospective students as they navigate getting into graduate school.

The overall process for applying to graduate school involves:

  • Submitting an application and required fees
  • Providing transcripts from undergraduate or graduate programs an individual has been enrolled in
  • Furnishing a letter of recommendation
  • Preparing and submitting an essay
  • Supplying a resume
  • Taking any standardized tests that a graduate program may require and submitting the test scores

Requirements of specific programs can vary. For example:

  • Standardized tests. Although the Freeman School of Business graduate programs require applicants to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), a program can waive this requirement after reviewing an individual’s resume.
  • Prerequisite courses. To be admitted into the Freeman School of Business’s Master of Accounting program, individuals need to have successfully completed courses in financial accounting principles, managerial/cost accounting principles, and intermediate accounting I and II from an institution accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
  • Required experience. Applicants to the Freeman School of Business’s Executive MBA program need to have at least seven years of full-time postgraduate work experience, five of which need to be in a position with significant management responsibility. The admissions committee can, however, consider exceptions to this requirement.

The Freeman School of Business offers virtual and in-person admissions events, and prospective students can meet with admissions officers to learn more about the individual programs and requirements.

Tips for Getting Into Graduate School

The following tips for applying to graduate school can help individuals through the process. For example, it can be beneficial for applicants to:

  • Refine goals. By taking the time to consider their ultimate goals, individuals can be sure they are choosing the right program for them. 
  • Learn specific program requirements. Graduate programs can differ, so applicants need to learn about the unique aspects and requirements of the program in which they have an interest.
  • Make a plan. Dividing the application process into individual tasks and developing a schedule for completing each task can be helpful.
  • Seek guidance. Admissions officers are a key source of information, so applicants should request their guidance on any questions they may have.
  • Write a compelling and thorough essay. Applicants should ensure their essay encompasses their strengths and passions, what they can bring to a program, and the reasons they have selected to apply to the program.

Getting Into Graduate School Can Set the Stage for Accomplishing Your Goals

Being admitted to graduate school for business can help individuals turn their goals into reality. People who earn advanced business degrees acquire unique knowledge and skills that can be used to pursue professional advancement in any of a variety of rewarding careers.

Individuals who are interested in pursuing graduate school in business can explore the graduate business programs that Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business offers to learn how one of these programs can help them achieve their career goals. Preparing students to pursue leadership opportunities in business, the programs help students establish the foundation for a fulfilling business career. 

Embark on your journey to a graduate business education today.

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